News Summary
Anderson County Schools and Knox County Schools are experiencing delays in bus transportation due to severe storms and a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service. The warning, affecting both counties, prompted a pause in afternoon bus services. Although a tornado was confirmed near Oak Ridge, no injuries have been reported, and emergency management urges residents to stay informed using weather radios and mobile alerts.
Anderson and Knox Counties, Tennessee Experiencing Bus Transportation Delays Due to Tornado Warning
Severe storms have led to delays in bus transportation for students in Anderson County Schools and Knox County Schools. A Tornado Warning was issued by the National Weather Service for both counties at approximately 3 p.m. on March 15, prompting both school districts to pause their afternoon bus services until the warning expired.
As the storm progressed, a severe thunderstorm warning was also in effect for north central Knox County, northeastern Anderson County, southwestern Claiborne County, southeastern Campbell County, and Union County. This warning will last until 9:15 p.m. on the same day.
The tornado warning specifically for Knox, Anderson, Loudon, and Roane counties was active from shortly after 8 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. Weather spotters confirmed a tornado near Oak Ridge at 8:14 p.m., which was reported moving northeast at a speed of 45 miles per hour.
While the storm caused significant concern, reports indicate that no injuries occurred during the incident. During the heightened alert, two buses collided while picking up students at Clinton Middle School, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries stemming from this incident.
As the path of the storm developed, East Tennessee remained under a tornado watch until 1 a.m. on March 16, with additional flood watches and a wind advisory set to last until 8 a.m. on the same day. The storm system posed threats of tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and flooding, raising alarms across the region.
Emergency Alerts and Cautions
Residents in Knoxville and Knox County should note that outdoor tornado sirens are not present in the area due to their limited effectiveness. Instead, residents are encouraged to utilize weather radios and mobile phone alerts for timely notifications. Knox County has an emergency warning system that distributes alerts through text messages, emails, or voice phone calls to keep the community informed during severe weather events.
Residents seeking to receive alerts through the Knox County emergency warning service can enroll by visiting the Knox County website or by contacting local authorities via phone at 311 or 865-215-4311.
Safety Measures During Severe Weather
As severe weather continues to pose risks in the region, authorities encourage residents to stay informed about weather conditions and to have a safety plan in place. With potential for severe thunderstorms, flooding, and tornadoes, preparedness is essential.
Officials are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide updates as necessary. As events develop, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and students throughout Anderson and Knox counties.
Residents are urged to keep an eye on the latest weather updates for any changes in conditions and to follow guidelines issued by emergency management authorities.
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Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
